This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains regulatory documents having general

applicability and legal effect, most of which

are keyed to and codified in the Code of

Federal Regulations, which is published under

50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by

the Superintendent of Documents. Prices of

new books are listed in the first FEDERAL

REGISTER issue of each week.

Rules and Regulations Federal Register

22005 

Vol. 76, No. 76 

Wednesday, April 20, 2011 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2011–0311; Directorate 

Identifier 2010–NM–232–AD; Amendment 

39–16668; AD 2011–09–06] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model 

A330–200 and –300 Series Airplanes, 

and Model A340–200 and –300 Series 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: We are superseding an 

existing airworthiness directive (AD) for 

all Model A330 and A340 series 

airplanes. This AD results from 

mandatory continuing airworthiness 

information (MCAI) originated by an 

aviation authority of another country to 

identify and correct an unsafe condition 

on an aviation product. The MCAI 

describes the unsafe condition as: 

At the end of an escape slide deployment 

test performed on the left-hand forward pax 

[passenger]/crew door of an A330 aeroplane, 

the girt bar attaching the escape slide to the 

fuselage was found not in a locked position 

and detached from the aeroplane. 

* * * * * 

This condition, if not corrected, could 

result in the slide detaching from the door 

after being inflated which, during an 

emergency, would impair the safe evacuation 

of occupants, possibly resulting in personal 

injuries. 

* * * * * 

This AD requires actions that are 

intended to address the unsafe 

condition described in the MCAI. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective May 

5, 2011. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

previously approved the incorporation 

by reference of certain documents listed 

in the AD as of March 19, 2002 (67 FR 

6370, February 12, 2002). 

We must receive comments on this 

AD by June 6, 2011. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by 

any of the following methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: (202) 493–2251. 

• Mail: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 

M–30, West Building Ground Floor, 

Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. 

• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 

M–30, West Building Ground Floor, 

Room W12–40, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 

9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 

Friday, except Federal holidays. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.gov; or in person at the 

Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. 

and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 

except Federal holidays. The AD docket 

contains this AD, the regulatory 

evaluation, any comments received, and 

other information. The street address for 

the Docket Operations office (telephone 

(800) 647–5527) is in the ADDRESSES

section. Comments will be available in 

the AD docket shortly after receipt. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, 

Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 

Washington 98057–3356; telephone 

(425) 227–1138; fax (425) 227–1149. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

On January 31, 2002, we issued AD 

2002–02–07, Amendment 39–12635 (67 

FR 6370, February 12, 2002). That AD 

required actions intended to address an 

unsafe condition on all Model A330 and 

A340 series airplanes. 

Since we issued AD 2002–02–07, 

Airbus has received certification on two 

new models: Model A330–223F and 

-243F airplanes. We are issuing this AD 

to include them in the requirements of 

that earlier AD. The European Aviation 

Safety Agency (EASA), which is the 

Technical Agent for the Member States 

of the European Community, has issued 

EASA Airworthiness Directive 2010– 

0135, dated July 5, 2010 (referred to 

after this as ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct an 

unsafe condition for the specified 

products. The MCAI states: 

At the end of an escape slide deployment 

test performed on the left-hand forward pax 

[passenger]/crew door of an A330 aeroplane, 

the girt bar attaching the escape slide to the 

fuselage was found not in a locked position 

and detached from the aeroplane. The 

investigation has shown that a component of 

the slide release mechanism (slider) was 

found unserviceable (spring function 

inoperative due to corrosion or missing). 

This condition, if not corrected, could 

result in the slide detaching from the door 

after being inflated which, during an 

emergency, would impair the safe evacuation 

of occupants, possibly resulting in personal 

injuries. 

DGAC [Direction Ge ́ne ́rale de l’Aviation 

Civile] AD F–2001–053R1 and DGAC AD F– 

2001–052R2 required the Functional check 

and lubrication of door girt bar slider and the 

associated corrective actions. 

This [EASA] AD, which supersedes DGAC 

AD F–2001–053R1 and DGAC AD F–2001– 

052R2 retaining their requirements, is issued 

to extend the applicability to the newly 

certified models A330–223F and A330–243F, 

and to clarify the actions required by the 

superseded AD. 

The required actions include 

repetitive detailed inspection and 

operational checks of the spring 

function of the emergency exit door 

slider mechanism, and applying 

corrosion inhibitor. Corrective actions 

include repairing or replacing the slider 

with a new part. You may obtain further 

information by examining the MCAI in 

the AD docket. 

Changes to the AD 

We have revised the applicability of 

this AD to coordinate with the 

applicability of the EASA airworthiness 

directive by specifying the model 

designations as identified in the U.S. 

Type Certificate Data Sheets. Model 

A340–541 and –642 airplanes that were 

included in the prior FAA AD are not 

included in this AD, because we have 

determined that those models are not 

affected by the identified unsafe 

condition. 

FAA’s Determination and Requirements 

of This AD 

This product has been approved by 

the aviation authority of another 


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country, and is approved for operation 

in the United States. Pursuant to our 

bilateral agreement with the State of 

Design Authority, we have been notified 

of the unsafe condition described in the 

MCAI and service information 

referenced above. We are issuing this 

AD because we evaluated all pertinent 

information and determined the unsafe 

condition exists and is likely to exist or 

develop on other products of the same 

type design. 

There are no products of this type 

currently registered in the United States. 

However, this rule is necessary to 

ensure that the described unsafe 

condition is addressed if any of these 

products are placed on the U.S. Register 

in the future. 

Differences Between the AD and the 

MCAI or Service Information 

We have reviewed the MCAI and 

related service information and, in 

general, agree with their substance. But 

we might have found it necessary to use 

different words from those in the MCAI 

to ensure the AD is clear for U.S. 

operators and is enforceable. In making 

these changes, we do not intend to differ 

substantively from the information 

provided in the MCAI and related 

service information. 

We might also have required different 

actions in this AD from those in the 

MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. 

Any such differences are highlighted in 

a Note within the AD. 

FAA’s Determination of the Effective 

Date 

Since there are currently no domestic 

operators of this product, notice and 

opportunity for public comment before 

issuing this AD are unnecessary. 

Comments Invited 

This AD is a final rule that involves 

requirements affecting flight safety, and 

we did not precede it by notice and 

opportunity for public comment. We 

invite you to send any written relevant 

data, views, or arguments about this AD. 

Send your comments to an address 

listed under the ADDRESSES section. 

Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–2011–0311; 

Directorate Identifier 2010–NM–232– 

AD’’ at the beginning of your comments. 

We specifically invite comments on the 

overall regulatory, economic, 

environmental, and energy aspects of 

this AD. We will consider all comments 

received by the closing date and may 

amend this AD because of those 

comments. 

We will post all comments we 

receive, without change, to http:// 

www.regulations.gov, including any 

personal information you provide. We 

will also post a report summarizing each 

substantive verbal contact we receive 

about this AD. 

Authority for This Rulemaking 

Title 49 of the United States Code 

specifies the FAA’s authority to issue 

rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, 

section 106, describes the authority of 

the FAA Administrator. ‘‘Subtitle VII: 

Aviation Programs,’’ describes in more 

detail the scope of the Agency’s 

authority. 

We are issuing this rulemaking under 

the authority described in ‘‘Subtitle VII, 

Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: 

General requirements.’’ Under that 

section, Congress charges the FAA with 

promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in 

air commerce by prescribing regulations 

for practices, methods, and procedures 

the Administrator finds necessary for 

safety in air commerce. This regulation 

is within the scope of that authority 

because it addresses an unsafe condition 

that is likely to exist or develop on 

products identified in this rulemaking 

action. 

Regulatory Findings 

We determined that this AD will not 

have federalism implications under 

Executive Order 13132. This AD will 

not have a substantial direct effect on 

the States, on the relationship between 

the national government and the States, 

or on the distribution of power and 

responsibilities among the various 

levels of government. 

For the reasons discussed above, I 

certify this AD: 

(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory 

action’’ under Executive Order 12866; 

(2) Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under the 

DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures 

(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and 

(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation 

in Alaska, and 

(4) Will not have a significant 

economic impact, positive or negative, 

on a substantial number of small entities 

under the criteria of the Regulatory 

Flexibility Act. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation 

safety, Incorporation by reference, 

Safety. 

Adoption of the Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as 

follows: 

PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS 

DIRECTIVES 

■ 1. The authority citation for part 39 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by 

removing Amendment 39–12635 (67 FR 

6370, February 12, 2002) and adding the 

following new AD: 

2011–09–06 Airbus: Amendment 39–16668. 

Docket No. FAA–2011–0311; Directorate 

Identifier 2010–NM–232–AD. 

Effective Date 

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) 

becomes effective May 5, 2011. 

Affected ADs 

(b) This AD supersedes AD 2002–02–07, 

Amendment 39–12635. 

Applicability 

(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A330– 

201, –202, –203, –223, –223F, –243, –243F, 

–301, –302, –303, –321, –322, –323, –341, 

–342, and –343 airplanes, and Model A340– 

211, –212, –213, –311, –312, and –313 

airplanes; certificated in any category; all 

manufacturer serial numbers. 

Subject 

(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 52: Doors. 

Reason 

(e) The mandatory continued airworthiness 

information (MCAI) states: 

At the end of an escape slide deployment 

test performed on the left-hand forward pax 

[passenger]/crew door of an A330 aeroplane, 

the girt bar attaching the escape slide to the 

fuselage was found not in a locked position 

and detached from the aeroplane. 

* * * * * 

This condition, if not corrected, could 

result in the slide detaching from the door 

after being inflated which, during an 

emergency, would impair the safe evacuation 

of occupants, possibly resulting in personal 

injuries. 

* * * * * 

Compliance 

(f) You are responsible for having the 

actions required by this AD performed within 

the compliance times specified, unless the 

actions have already been done. 

Restatement of Requirements of AD 2002– 

02–07 

Inspection 

(g) For all airplanes except Model A330– 

223F and –243F airplanes: Within 18 months 

since date of manufacture, or within 550 

flight hours after March 19, 2002 (the 

effective date of AD 2002–02–07), whichever 

occurs later: Perform a detailed inspection 

and an operational check of the spring 

function of the emergency exit door slider 

mechanism, in accordance with Airbus All 

Operators Telex (AOT) A330–52A3063 (for 

Model A330 series airplanes) or A340– 

52A4075 (for Model A340 series airplanes), 

as applicable, both Revision 01, both dated 

January 3, 2001. 

Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a 

detailed inspection is defined as: ‘‘An 


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intensive visual examination of a specific 

structural area, system, installation, or 

assembly to detect damage, failure, or 

irregularity. Available lighting is normally 

supplemented with a direct source of good 

lighting at intensity deemed appropriate by 

the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, 

magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface 

cleaning and elaborate access procedures 

may be required.’’ 

(1) If all sliders lock properly: Before 

further flight, apply corrosion inhibitor to the 

sliders, in accordance with Airbus AOT 

A330–52A3063 (for Model A330 series 

airplanes) or A340–52A4075 (for Model A340 

series airplanes), as applicable, both Revision 

01, both dated January 3, 2001. Thereafter, 

repeat the inspection and operational check 

at least every 18 months. 

(2) If any slider does not lock properly: 

Before further flight, repair the slider or 

replace it with a new part, and apply 

corrosion inhibitor to the sliders; in 

accordance with Airbus AOT A330–52A3063 

(for Model A330 series airplanes) or A340– 

52A4075 (for Model A340 series airplanes), 

as applicable, both Revision 01, both dated 

January 3, 2001. Thereafter, repeat the 

inspection and operational check at least 

every 18 months. 

New Requirements of This AD 

Inspection 

(h) For Model A330–223F and –243F 

airplanes: Within 18 months since date of 

manufacture, or within 550 flight hours after 

the effective date of this AD, whichever 

occurs later: Perform a detailed inspection 

and an operational check of the spring 

function of the emergency exit door slider 

mechanism, in accordance with Airbus AOT 

A330–52A3063, Revision 01, dated January 

3, 2001. 

(1) If all sliders lock properly: Before 

further flight, apply corrosion inhibitor to the 

sliders, in accordance with Airbus AOT 

A330–52A3063, Revision 01, dated January 

3, 2001. Thereafter, repeat the inspection and 

operational check at least every 18 months. 

(2) If any slider does not lock properly: 

Before further flight, repair the slider or 

replace it with a new part, and apply 

corrosion inhibitor to the sliders; in 

accordance with Airbus AOT A330– 

52A3063, Revision 01, dated January 3, 2001. 

Thereafter, repeat the inspection and 

operational check at least every 18 months. 

FAA AD Differences 

Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI 

and/or service information as follows: No 

differences. 

Other FAA AD Provisions 

(i) The following provisions also apply to 

this AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, International 

Branch, ANM–116, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, FAA, has the authority to 

approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 

In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your 

request to your principal inspector or local 

Flight Standards District Office, as 

appropriate. If sending information directly 

to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: 

Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind 

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057– 

3356; telephone (425) 227–1138; fax (425) 

227–1149. Information may be e-mailed to: 

9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. 

Before using any approved AMOC, notify 

your appropriate principal inspector, or 

lacking a principal inspector, the manager of 

the local flight standards district office/ 

certificate holding district office. The AMOC 

approval letter must specifically reference 

this AD. 

(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement 

in this AD to obtain corrective actions from 

a manufacturer or other source, use these 

actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective 

actions are considered FAA-approved if they 

are approved by the State of Design Authority 

(or their delegated agent). You are required 

to assure the product is airworthy before it 

is returned to service. 

Related Information 

(j) Refer to Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information (MCAI) European 

Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 

Airworthiness Directive 2010–0135, dated 

July 5, 2010; and Airbus AOTs A330– 

52A3063 and A340–52A4075, both Revision 

01, both dated January 3, 2001; for related 

information. 

Material Incorporated by Reference 

(k) You must use Airbus All Operators 

Telex A330–52A3063, Revision 01, dated 

January 3, 2001; or Airbus All Operators 

Telex A340–52A4075, Revision 01, dated 

January 3, 2001; as applicable; to do the 

actions required by this AD, unless the AD 

specifies otherwise. 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

previously approved the incorporation by 

reference of these documents on March 19, 

2002 (67 FR 6370, February 12, 2002). 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Airbus SAS—Airworthiness 

Office—EAL, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 

31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 

5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 45 80; e-mail 

airworthiness.A330-A340@airbus.com; 

Internet http://www.airbus.com. 

(3) You may review copies of the service 

information at the FAA, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 

Washington. For information on the 

availability of this material at the FAA, call 

425–227–1221. 

(4) You may also review copies of the 

service information that is incorporated by 

reference at the National Archives and 

Records Administration (NARA). For 

information on the availability of this 

material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go 

to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/ 

code_of_federal_regulations/ 

ibr_locations.html. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 12, 

2011. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2011–9278 Filed 4–19–11; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2010–0042; Directorate 

Identifier 2009–NM–010–AD; Amendment 

39–16664; AD 2011–09–02] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Saab AB, 

Saab Aerosystems Model 340A (SAAB/ 

SF340A) and SAAB 340B Airplanes 

Modified in Accordance With 

Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) 

ST00224WI–D, ST00146WI–D, or 

SA984GL–D 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for the 

products listed above. This AD requires 

inspecting the fuselage surface for 

corrosion and cracking behind the 

external adapter plate of the antennae 

installation, and repair if necessary. 

This AD was prompted by a report of a 

crack found behind the external adapter 

plate of the antennae during inspection. 

Similar cracking was found on two 

additional airplanes, and extensive 

corrosion was found on one airplane. 

We are issuing this AD to detect and 

correct corrosion and cracking behind 

the external adapter plate of the 

antennae of certain damage-tolerant 

structure, which could result in reduced 

structural integrity and consequent 

rapid depressurization of the airplane. 

DATES: This AD is effective May 25, 

2011. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.gov; or in person at the 

Docket Management Facility between 

9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 

Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 

docket contains this AD, the regulatory 

evaluation, any comments received, and 

other information. The address for the 

Docket Office (phone: 800–647–5527) is 

Document Management Facility, U.S. 

Department of Transportation, Docket 

Operations, M–30, West Building 

Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 


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